What a time. This is a unique music venue in Midtown. My hubby and I went to see the one and only Robert Lester Folsom!! Can you believe that?! We got house red wine and societe brewing company beer specifically "the pupil." Highly recommend! We took the MTS and it was like a 20-25 minute train ride. Audio and visuals were impressive. The bartenders were lovely. Surprisingly the lines weren't too long for drinks but it was also a Wednesday night. The weekends could be busier. I'm sure of that!! Period! Check them out!!! read more

See all

Came here for a show and loved the vibe!! Very small stage, nice and intimate. The drinks were strong and decently priced! This was my first time here and the layout was a little confusing at first but once you make your way to the bar it's fine lol. Outdoor-ish area with seats if you need air but don't want to leave. Fun vibe, I'd definitely come back! read more

Iconic venue for those that are fans of the punk rock scene. Wife and I came to see Plague Vendor and had a great time. Friendly service, good drinks, and just cool to finally see a show at such an iconic venue. read more

Still one of the best clubs that I have ever been to and let me just say, I've been to a ton, worldwide. I was fortunate enough to be a drummer in a band that did some extensive touring and The Casbah always holds a special place for me both as a performer and as a attendee. The Casbah is simply all about the music. You come for bands... that's all. Share a drink on the patio with friends, make some new ones, play a game of pool in the back bar, belly up to the side of the stage, grab another drink at the front bar, smoke your first cigarette... hell, do anything without being an ass#ole. Great club, great bands, great times. Long live The Casbah. read more

Given my history with the Casbah, I can't believe I haven't even ever left a review. I used to attend the Casbah regularly. My favorite in the early 2000s was Jivewire, which was a DJ dance night featuring 80s music along with electronic dance favorites. I have seen many bands, including friends' bands play at the Casbah throughout the years. More recently, my husband and I saw Robert Delong play just after the music scene restarted following the pandemic in 2021. And just a few weeks ago, we saw one of my husband's longtime favorites, Anything Box, play with Bob Haro and Blacklight. I will say, that we were super fortunate that neither of these shows were at capacity, as we had so much space to move around, dance a little, and walk around to the back of the bar and chat between sets. We never had to wait at the bar. I never had to deal with a bathroom line. The place felt to friendly, and I felt so welcome. There were no lines, and there was no hassle. I absolutely loved the vantage point to the stage and felt that I had to miss nothing. I did get a little tired at the last show, as it went later into the evening. I got to sit in a boot in the back and rest for a song or two, watching a show on the screen before we went back to join. I did notice that the back bar closes early. I got some pretty decent margaritas at the main bar at very reasonable prices during the show. I think the bathroom and bar line could potentially be a bit problematic if it were to get super crowded. For me, on my recent visits, the Casbah was really the perfect place to catch a show. read more

See all

This dive bar is a gem and has been around for ages!! I had the pleasure of ringing in the new year at this venue with Starcrawler. There's an outdoor patio where you can hang and enjoy drinks and enjoy the band inside with more drinks. Drinks weren't too bad. It was super chill and casual. read more

See all

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great small divey venue for live music. Came here for the first time with friends back in August to see Giuda and had a great time. We came back a few months later to see Steel Pole Bathtub and we've determined that this is one of our favorite small venues in SD. We're trying to become better acquainted with cool small venues in SD, and they don't get much better than this. Our favorite venue close to us in Long Beach is Alex's Bar, and this place has the same kind of vibe--a little dark and dingy, but a great place to get up close and personal with bands at reasonable prices. It IS a haul from Long Beach, but luckily we have friends who live nearby that'll let us crash at their pad, so if a band we can't see in LA happen to be playing here, we are happy to make the drive. read more

We decided to check out Casbah for the first time on Friday, 2/6/26 for emo night. Vibe wasn't bad. There was a live band up on stage and a good amount of people at the event. Drinks were reasonably priced and the song choices were good. Place was on the dirtier side, which I can deal with. The huge issue I have is the asshole bartending in the back with the beard and bald head. I have a habit of ordering long islands, and he made multiple comments insulting me for ordering a "kids drink" each time. He then proceeded to yell and bash at my friend who accidentally spilled a drink. He completely went off! I couldn't believe how this asshole just started yelling and flipping out. The back bar was completely empty at the time, so it seems others were avoiding him. I refuse to come back to a place that treats guests/customers in such a way. He had underhanded comments about multiple people in our group and didn't care to hide his attitude and insults at all! I would give a 4/5 if not due solely to the bartender. You ruined the place for us. I regret my tips and will not be coming back. read more

Just disappointed :-(. Been attending and playing shows here for the last 25 years and enjoyed it very much. I usually buy drinks for myself and friends on a debit card tab. We played a matinee show on Sunday and played last. I loaded out my gear, re parked and went in to say goodbye to friends and cash out. With 20 people in the club still when I went to close out the bartender had already cashed me out and added a 20% gratuity. I think this is totally ridiculous. I will not attend any more shows there, and if my band plays there I will not tip. I cannot believe that this venue is ok with ripping of attendees and preformers that support their business with the economy and gas prices the way they are. read more

Casbah is a San Diego institution. It's not flashy, trendy or somewhere you'd want to take a number two. It's dark, the floor is probably wet from any number of spilled drinks and you're likely to see a couple drunks making out next to a guy Mohawk kid in a studded jacket. It's awesome. Arguably the best sound for any San Diego venue, yours truly had never seen or heard a bad show here. It's small and simple but that's part of the charm. Full bar, quick service, great shows and the place has been virtually unchanged for a few decades. Fun fact: someone lives on top of the venue (it's a two-story building). How on earth do they ever sleep? read more

The Casbah - Class - Music Venues Near Me - San Diego, California

The wife and I having a little spontaneous date night found our self's at the casbah for emo nite and loved it. Good loud music and high crowd energy. Great venue for a random Friday night!!! read more

Bar tender last night on 7 January was horrible and rude. He called my friend a child for ordering a Long Island. He was yelling and berating my other friend for accidentally spilling a drink. Horrible person. read more

Best place for live music. An intimate iconic venue. A must go to for music lovers. Drinks are reasonably priced.

Best f'n dive bar in San Diego. I've been coming here for years. I get excited that they host big names and local independent acts! Always a great crowd and energy. Bar tenders are friendly and drink prices are moderate. Security rocks!! If it gets too hot inside, there's plenty of other spots to hang around outside on the patio area. Plenty of parking across the street in one of the airport parking garages, as I wouldn't trust the sketchy street parking nearby. read more

See all

Best venue in San Diego! Great drinks and staff. Cool vibe for day or night! Arrive early to score street parking.

The iconic place to see a show in San Diego. The best shows. The best atmosphere. Hands down.

Sell outs Bartenders were okay but the security absolutely were a holes. Sorry but total sell out facility read more

I had an amazing experience here going to see Riki a few weeks back. Besides it being right next to an airport and rowdy area, we were able to get in with no issues, grab drinks at a decent price, and enjoy our artist up close and personal despite arriving fashionably late. I'd definitely go check out another favorite artist here if the chance comes up. Street Parking was tricky, but not an issue since we were only there for under 2 hours. I'd just watch where you park and lock good as there are homeless that live around the area. Bathrooms here were well kept, too. Always important. read more

One of the best local bars for music! Great beer selection, amazing staff, downtown location. This venue is setup perfectly. If the volume is too much, you can go to the back bar and watch the show on their TV behind the bar. If you haven't, you should book a show and check it out! read more

The Casbah - Music Venues Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Finally saw a show at this legendary venue and it was such a cool intimate atmosphere. I was worried about it being too crowded and stuffy similar to the SOMA venue but it was much more spaced out along with the covered patio space outside. They also have a huge selection of beverages - draft beers, canned beers / kombucha, and well drinks. My only recco is to bring ear plugs if you have sensitive ears because it can get super loud! We took Ubers to the venue because it was a Friday and didn't want to deal with parking but if you wanted to there's a lot nearby. read more

The Casbah - Music Venues Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is absolutely a legendary music venue. Various rooms to hang out in an awesome stage and awesome sound system. A fantastic variety of bands from all over the world playing pretty much every weekend. If you're in San Diego and you like live music you owe it to yourself to check this place out. Highly Recommended!!!!!!!!!! read more

The Casbah - Music Venues Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Very beautiful venue, it's small but very nice! They have seating and good cocktails. They have an outdoor area as well with seats too. Staff there are very friendly as well. read more

The worsst people in San Diego I ordered multiple beers from them and support of their bands, but the bartender and the owner refused to let me enjoy read more

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! The Casbah is the quintessential dive-bar, live music spot that represents all the roots of San Diego's best and beyond! Nostalgia set in when thinking about certain places I've missed these past few years and The Casbah was a part of that past-time!! Small place for bands to explode their creative juices and be part of the moment. You really can't find a bad place to sit or stand, other than the bathrooms - there is no escape..... and will leave that for the faint at heart! During the early 2000s through 2011 - we witnessed some of the best acts ever - Creepy Creeps, Dead Bolt! Peter Murphy, El Vez! Rocket from the Crypt, and all the best side bands Swami (John Reis) has to offer- The Night Marchers, Drive like Jehu, Hot Snakes, Sultans, Beehive and the Barracudas. We were looking forward to the December 23rd show this year with another spectacular Christmas event with El Vez but was unfortunately canceled. :( Look forward to 2022 with good health and great adventures! read more

See all

They've recently reopened, and are only open certain nights of the week. Haven't seen a show here and never came here before COVID. It's small and quant and is reminds of dive bars/music venues in Seattle (where I am from), I love that aspect of it. There was a live DJ, the music was good, I've really missed music in public spaces. Plenty of seating, some areas louder than some. Full bar and there is a food min. of $6, they have salud! tacos slanging food, and their tacos were ok, the queso birriria (sp?) was the one I preferred the most as well as the street corn cup. Staff was friendly and attentive. read more

I know I'm going against the grain, but the Casbah is just there. Not something to get excited about, kinda meh. And it hasn't changed at all, still the same strange cavern of a venue. Don't get me wrong, I've seen a bunch of shows here over the years. But there's always that moment of hesitation, when I hear a band is coming to town. Where are they playing? The Casbah? I'm gonna have to think about it. Definitely buy your tickets online. Many times, I have come to a show here, and witnessed people disappointed because it had sold out. Brad's band's reunion show sold out weeks in advance. I have been lucky to be on the guest list frequently, so getting in free improves the experience (especially when you leave before the end of the show). There is very little seating, so anyone with a limitation should beware. There is a strange bench at the back, but it has no view of the stage because of the wall behind the sound booth. If you sit there, you feel like you're outside Prom, waiting to get into the gym. The sound is usually fine. It's a small place, so you get to see the bands up close. I've never seen the extreme treatment that some people have reported involving security. But I also am the person that has never been thrown out of anywhere. Even with the crazy mosh pit at the Sprung Monkey reunion, I didn't notice too many problems. And that was sponsored by Jack Daniels, so the free alcohol was a big factor in people's behavior. The best thing I've seen here is probably John Waters doing his Christmas extravaganza. It was great seeing him in such an intimate venue. But if any of the bands that usually play the Casbah suddenly announce that they're playing the Belly Up indstea? I'm so all-over that. read more

See all

So I finally made it back to Little Italy to visit the architectural salvage. It was rather disappointing because the sales guy in there was very uninterested unhelpful giving me stilted distracted answers as he scrolled on phone...But I still poked around. Took a bunch of pictures. Showed my art college daughter, who enjoyed them and my boyfriend who went to architectural school in New York City but then I really had to use the bathroom. Since architectural salvage didn't have one. I decided I'd trek the block back down to Casbah since I had such a great experience there on Monday night seeing Bailen the band. The front door was closed but it's quite windy and cold out tonight so I thought perhaps they were just keeping the wind out. I tried it opened easily and I walked in and I heard a very shrill voice asked me if I wanted some thing or needed something and I said oh are you guys closed and she said yes and gestured to the band warming up -- I'm very put off as she's extremely rude. Look like a motorcycle wanna be Harley girl wire Heavy make up, had dark hair, blue eyes. I said oh OK and I began to walk towards the back because that's where the exit is that way I didn't have to walk across her precious dance floor again in front of the band. She got really rude then, and just said there's the door and pointed back the way that I had come at which point I said, I understand that you're closed ... you're the only rude person I've met in San Diego so far! I had a really nice experience here the other night and was just coming back to check it out. And she broken record says "I'm just telling you that were closed!" to which I answered, " Yes you are, in a really rude and bitchy way, and I turned around and said hey, don't ever come to Hawaii because you'd definitely not fit in there! Then she got loud, said leave, but I could see that her boyfriend/fat ass henchman just totally agreed with me as he was smirking at her and half smiling at me...What a cray moment that left a very bad impression of what is a nice establishment. It all comes down to people though and this gal is a real piece of unkind unfriendly work. read more

See all

There was a time in my life where I went to pretty much every live music venue I could find. Oddly, I had missed the legendary Casbah in San Diego and wow, what a miss on my part! This is a really interesting venue. The sound stage of course is the main part of the venue and this space was incredible acoustics. Whomever engineered this space deserves a prize. Every part of the service aspect here was on point. The actual space is unique and interesting. Wall art is fantastic throughout the venue. There is a pool table for people who are taking a break from the music. The outdoor space is also sizable. A number of great acts established their foothold by playing here and it continues to be a place where new artists can grow and thrive. Wish I hadn't been feeling like utter trash the night I went as I had to leave early but I could not have been more impressed with the venue. read more

Bar with mostly standing room. The sound is good! The bartenders are terrific. Seating is at a premium and it's pretty wobbly. They have some great musicians performing there! We went for Southern Culture on the Skids. Low Volts opened and was really good too. read more

What a lovely venue. They have a had some really awesome bands play here. Their history adorns the walls. This venue is great for intimate concerts! The sound was calibrated perfectly and every seat was a good one . Actually, there are only a handful of seats with tables and the majority of the room is for standing viewing. Watch out for the mosh pit if that's not your thing ! The bartender was awesome and helpful, the drinks were very reasonable. I got a tall can for $7! I saw the Melvins here and it was a great show. I will definitely come back here ! read more

See all

This was a really great venue down in San Diego. They had a pool table and all. Nice stage. Great sound system.

I have seen a few shows here and was able to come here to the "Covid Opening" with patio dinner seating and seating in the back bar. Staff was super friendly and attentive. The special drinks were tasty as well. This day they collaborated with !Salud! And the food was very yummy. DJ's play music while you eat and great. A great time and experience. Really would like to have something like this to continue once they are doing concerts again. Great Time! read more

The Casbah - Covid special opening patio sit down dinner - Music Venues Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

In my 20's I went on tour with a small alt-rock band and saw dozens of venues across the country like The Casbah- this is one of the best I've been to. Intimate, but a place to step out and breathe if you need to. Mostly standing room with a barely inclined floor and a small stage might be a nightmare if you're short like me, but I found the crowd to be so respectful at the show I attended and didn't have any issues. Security was great, there are two bars so service was quick. Way pricy though- what else do you expect at any music venue though? You're there if you want to drink you'll pay whatever- that's the game. There is also a pool table and some great little seating areas. I'm sure I'll return for another show soon! read more

How have I not reviewed Casbah!! I've been soooo many times and every single time is a gr8 time!! This is most def the best rocker bar in town. The venue is big yet small enough to get up close and personal with yo fav band. Every act that is billed at Casbah is filled with unique talent. I've been here on the rare times they had 5 bands playing. They turned the other bar room into a small stage area and will play back n forth between the mainstage. Customer service all over is cool af. Bartenders are speedy quick and are actually cool down to earth peoples. Check out Casbah if u love live music!! read more

See all

Dylan Leblanc & Erin Rae 7/17/19 Awesome venue Friendly staff Most excellent bartender!!! Diverse crowd The music acts were absolutely on... If you enjoy live music, this is it... read more

The Casbah - Music Venues Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

One of the greatest places to see some of my favorite bands along with new discoveries in San Diego. Don't remember my very first time here but it was in the 90s. I remember discovering Snake River Conspiracy here when my friends band opened for them. Sonic Jihad is still one of my favorite albums EVER. Check it out. I've seen too many bands to count but I remember seeing another of my favorite 80s bands here the Penetrators and they rocked the house. My most recent visit was last month to see the Classified (blew the roof off) and the Casbah remains the same old legendary no frill place it always was. I love me some Belly Up but definitely prefer the vibe and prices that makes the Casbah. Rock on Casbah!!!!! read more

Staff was rude, and "signage" they claimed to help navigate tickets was ridiculous. So we ended up waiting in line for 30 min only to be told we didn't have to actually wait because we had tickets. I don't understand why any venue in 2023 can justify poor line management. It's not that hard. read more

I am so bummed out how mean spirited and intolerant The Casbah security is. The door crew and bartenders are not that cool or welcoming either. They're too cool for school. They don't really care to greet and smile at all. I flew in from NYC to see Plague Vendor. Was so happy to go to The Legendary Casbah. Brought 4 people with me. We are professionals & middle aged & all music lovers and have been to a lifetime of rock, punk, ska, reggae, speedmetal, you name it shows. Experienced many venues in most major cities. At The Casbah, in my excitement, I banged a half-full plastic cup of water down on bar for dramatic effect to a song and splashed my friend extra lightly. This was song #5 out of 21 on set list. I'm 25 minutes into this brilliant amazing surf punk loud wonderful show. I was not wasted. Totally lucid and Ok. 1 security man came up and said I got him wet and I had to leave. I apologized over & over. Begged for him to reconsider. My friends pleaded. But No No No we got tossed out the stage left side door. This kind of intolerance and irrational authority just lowers all regard for San Diego nightlife. The Casbah is infected with a no-sense attitude. So to The Casbah security man who overexerted his power: Kharma is a boomerang and if your head gets lopped off in this life, you won't miss it cuz you didn't use it anyway. read more

Best spot for intimate concerts! Even better staff! Highly recommend the Battle Bot nights!

Great space for smaller artists to feel closer to their fans. Had a great time watching Bandalos Chinos.